Jackson proved as a freshman that he can handle just about anything thrown at him. Sarkisian has mentioned multiple times, including at last week’s Pac-12 Media Days, that he wants to get Jackson more involved on offense. To what extent that would cut into his defensive duties is to be determined.

Sarkisian was asked whether he’d establish a pitch count of sorts for Jackson.

“We haven’t nailed it yet, but we’re going to get into one. We’ve got to figure it out,” Sarkisian said. “We need to manage him. I need him to be really good in November, just like I want him to be really good in September.”

With USC taking the week off for spring break, it’s time to take stock of the team through six practices.

Over the course of this week, we’ll take a look at five things we’ve learned so far about the 2015 Trojans.

No. 3: Replacing Nelson Agholor might be a two-man job.

Agholor was terrific last season. He led or tied for the team lead in receptions in 11 of 13 games. He accounted for almost one-third of Cody Kessler’s completions (104 of 315). When plays broke down, Agholor invariable would find a way to get open. He was, in every way, the embodiment of a go-to receiver.

JuJu Smith seemed like the logical successor, and he very well might be. But as I recently wrote, it’s easier said than done. Smith didn’t have a dominant first two weeks. He played well but also had lapses. Like most 18-year-old freshmen – which Smith still is, something we conveniently forget because he’s so big, strong, fast and mature for his age – he’s still learning.

The former USC wide receiver – who didn’t get invited to the scouting combine after a disappointing college career – needed to do something on Pro Day that would get the attention of the dozens of NFL representatives in attendance.

Farmer did it by running a blazing 4.35 in the 40-yard dash.

“To run that 40 today just took a bunch of weight off my shoulders,” Farmer said later. “It feels great.”

There aren’t many human beings who can run that fast, so posting that time increases the chances that Farmer will get drafted. That it’s even a question would have seemed ridiculous four years ago, when Farmer was a consensus five-star recruit.

Here are my top five observations on how things turned out for USC on National Signing Day:

1. Bullying encouraged

One of the most interesting things Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian said during his afternoon news conference was that he wanted his team to become a “bully,” especially on the defensive side of the ball. He didn’t limit it to the trenches either, mentioning that USC needed to defend perimeter plays with more ferocity as well. (This had to be a reference to the UCLA game, in which the Bruins were the more physical team inside and out.) USC sought and signed big, physical players on defense, from the front to the back. Most of the Trojans’ defensive-line signees are 3-4 prototypes tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds. Their linebackers are tall, thick or both. All the defensive backs are 6 feet or taller. “We need to build a football team that has the potential to be a bully,” Sarkisian said. “When you look at this defensive class especially, there’s the potential there. Now, we have to develop that. We have to develop the skill sets, the mindset, all those things.”

2. Positioned for success

Not that all the players recruited primarily as defenders will stay on that side of the ball. USC listed Isaiah Langley as a DB-WR, Osa Masina as an LB-TE and Ykili Ross as a DB-WR. Sarkisian even mentioned the possibility of linebacker Porter Gustin getting a look on offense, presumably at tight end. (Sarkisian also said Gustin could double as a closer for the baseball team.) It makes no sense at this point for Sarkisian to pigeonhole players whose final position has yet to be determined – or to potentially alienate prospects who have a certain spot in mind. As USC rebuilds its depth, it’s good to have players who can play multiple positions. You never know what might happen. Remember, Marqise Lee was considered as much of a safety prospect as a receiver when he came out of high school. He ended up being one of the best receivers in school history. JuJu Smith is on that same trajectory. Maybe Ross will be next. Or maybe he’ll become a difference-making defensive back. As I’ve said before, it’s a good problem to have.

George Farmer’s decision to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft spawned shock and indignation among USC fans. How could Farmer possibly go pro after so little production in college?

Those feelings are understandable and predictable. It’s natural, as a fan, to view every decision a player makes through a particular lens: how it affects you and the team you root for.

What people seldom do is look at it from the player’s perspective. That’s what I’m going to attempt to do here. I’ll also examine how Farmer’s departure impacts the 2015 Trojans.

Objectively speaking, Farmer shouldn’t be entering the 2015 NFL draft. He caught only 30 passes in his career and has provided no evidence that he can be a No. 1 receiver who can run the entire pro route tree.

But how much would Farmer’s role have changed had he come back? Whether by natural succession or because we media types have anointed him as such, JuJu Smith already has emerged as the next go-to guy, replacing the departed Nelson Agholor. Farmer’s role probably would have been bigger, but he’s also heard that before and not gotten a lot of passes thrown his way. Farmer tied his career high with four catches in the regular-season finale against Notre Dame, for a career-best 85 yards and two touchdowns. In the Holiday Bowl, he had one reception for 4 yards. Although he never said so publicly, Farmer had to be frustrated about his lack of involvement.

I know what most of you think about the way the game transpired after USC took a 31-2 lead: that the Trojans took their foot off the gas and let the Golden Bears back into the game. Same old, same old. The scoreboard says that that’s what happened. But it didn’t feel quite the same to me. Let’s start with the offense’s strategy, performance and role in the second half before getting to the defense in item No. 2. Aside from two red-zone misfires, the offense obviously played very well in building that 29-point advantage. When USC had chances to break Cal’s spirit in the second half, the execution wasn’t there. If Steven Mitchell doesn’t accidentally step out of bounds after making a reception, the Trojans gain a first down and extend a drive. If Nelson Agholor secures a wide-open slant pass – a rare error on an amazing night that I’ll get to in a bit – the Trojans gain a first down and extend a drive. Sorry, all you Steve Sarkisian bashers out there, but those aren’t coaching issues. The 50 gazillion penalties that USC committed, well, those might be.

2. Not-so-big finish (defense)

Cal scored touchdowns on four of its final five possessions. That obviously isn’t good. The defense didn’t come up with that one big play which could have sealed it – the type of play USC is going to need to beat UCLA and Notre Dame (more on that later as well). But let’s look at this from a Coliseum-half-full perspective: USC held Cal to 30 points, 12 below its average (and two points came on a safety). USC held Cal to 384 yards, 125 below its average. USC held Cal to 20 percent on third-down conversions, 27.5 percent less than its usual rate. The Bears have a potent offense – one the Trojans shut down for almost two quarters. Did human nature kick in once the lead grew to 29 points? Despite Sarkisian’s denials, it surely did. It’s something USC still needs to work on. But sometimes having something to work on isn't such a bad thing.

It’s no surprise that Adoree’ Jackson has excelled so far for USC. After all, he was the Trojans’ highest-ranked recruit in the class of 2014.

What is unusual is how much Jackson is doing. He’s playing cornerback and receiver, and he also is returning kicks. Jackson even took a handoff during Thursday’s practice.

“He keeps making plays on both sides of the ball and in the return game,” USC coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I’m trying to find a flaw right now with the guy.”

Sarkisian and others have praised Jackson’s preparation and intelligence. Sarkisian conceded that he was concerned about overloading Jackson. Thus far, however, he has handled everything the coaches have thrown at him.

“For him, it’s not really hard,” receivers coach Tee Martin said. “He’s just a rare talent. He’s one of the few guys I’ve been around … that can actually handle it and do a good job doing it.”

In some ways, a lot. The most noticeable change for USC fans will be Sarkisian’s offense. The Trojans won’t huddle, and they will operate out of the shotgun almost exclusively. Predecessor Lane Kiffin was among a dwindling number of holdouts running a “pro-style” offense featuring a huddle and the quarterback starting plays from under center (although, as Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez recently noted, NFL offenses are looking a lot more like their college counterparts these days). Like Kiffin, Sarkisian will be the play-caller. Defensively, USC will continue to run a base 3-4. But in new coordinator Justin Wilcox’s system, it sometimes will morph into a 4-3 depending on the situation. Sarkisian plans to open most practices to the media and will allow the reporting of injuries, something Kiffin resisted. Sarkisian doesn’t seem as preoccupied with insignificant minutia, such as players’ numbers.

2. How good can QB Cody Kessler be?

Sarkisian believes Kessler – blessed with quick hands and a quick mind – is a perfect fit for his system. Kessler felt comfortable enough in it to teach some of its finer points to USC’s newcomers over the summer. He did just fine in the previous system, improving as the season progressed as he became more established as the Trojans’ clear-cut starter after initially sharing snaps with Max Wittek (who’s no longer with the program). In the final six games, Kessler connected on 70.8 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. (The single-season school record for completion percentage is 69.1, set by Matt Barkley in 2011.) If Kessler continues to ascend, USC could match or surpass last season’s win total of 10. The Trojans have a strong running game and plenty of perimeter playmakers for Kessler to distribute the ball to, including …